VFW Virginia District 10 Participates in Wreaths Across America

It was a brisk 25 degrees the morning of December 16, 2017, when Quantico National Cemetery hosted “Wreaths Across America,” a holiday wreath-laying ceremony to honor and remember our nation’s Veterans. District 10’s VFW Post 1503 and VFW Post 7916 participated. This annual event honors fallen service members buried at National Cemeteries across the United States.

We have seen and been awestruck by the somber sight of thousands of precisely aligned rows of stark headstones at our Veterans’ cemeteries. But seeing the awe-inspiring images of hundreds — thousands — of beautiful, red-ribbon-adorned, fresh, green wreaths gracing the graves of our fallen heroes is humbling. A short ceremony, began at 11:55 AM. The Marine Color Guard posted the Colors.

Above, Quantico National Cemetery Director James Sanders provides welcoming remarks to the multitudes of participants.

Representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines, along with friends and families came and laid wreaths to honor the fallen, as well as Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action (POW/MIA).

The Christmas Wreaths were positioned at multiple locations across Quantico National Cemetery and distributed to the thousands of good Samaritans who came to help.

Retired Navy Captain Phillip Heisey, and his wife Michael, came to lay a wreath upon their beloved son’s grave, US Army Captain Matthew Heisey’s at QNC. Navy Captain Heisey stood “watch” over his son’s grave while Michael gathered a wreath. District 10 Commander Chuck Wilson of Post 7916 also stood by Army Capt Matt Heisey’s grave.

Wilson and Phil Heisey Michael Heisey and Wilson

The outpouring of great Americans was overwhelming. There were thousands who came for this event. The line of cars were backed up several miles from getting of the I-95 exit, to and within the Quantico National Cemetery. Traffic was in gridlock for quite some time. Reportedly, over 6,000 people laid 13,000 wreaths to honor our veterans at Quantico National Cemetery.

Quantico National Cemetery Director, James Sanders, Virginia VFW District 10 Commander, Chuck Wilson, Col USAF Ret, and Woodbridge Post 7916 member and his wife Judy, a VFW Post 7916 Auxiliary Member participated in laying wreaths at many of the headstones at Quantico National Cemetery.

The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club, many from VFW Post 1503, played a large role in laying wreaths. District 10 Senior Vice Commander Randy Coker is seen above, center right.

“Wreaths Across America,” began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to Veterans laid to rest at Veterans Administration’s national cemeteries and state veterans’ cemeteries in 2006.

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